Asian Games: Yuki Bhambri gives fitness certificate after missing Davis Cup tie

Yuki Bhambri from India (Image: X) New Delhi: India will have Yuki Bhambri back in the doubles at the 2026 Asian Games after he provided a fitness certificate to the All India Tennis Association (AITA), the governing body for the sport in the country. Bhmabri missed the Davis Cup qualifier against South Korea in Seoul as he nursed a thigh injury. India lost a 1-3 draw against Korea on Saturday.Bhambri suffered a right thigh strain before his main match at the US Open and was subsequently a doubt for the draw in South Korea. Before the draw in Seoul, it was confirmed that he had not recovered in time for the competition and remained in place.“He (Bhambri) can go. He has submitted his fitness certificate,” AITA honorary secretary Sunder Iyer told TimesofIndia.com.Bhambri and Michael Venus exited the US Open in the first round, losing 6-7, 6-7 to American duo Ryan Seggerman and Patrik Trhac.“I’m limited in what I can do movement-wise. I can’t really sprint for drop shots and go for a lot of balls, I can’t imagine missing the Asian Games. I’ve been looking forward to it for a few years now,” Bhambri told TOI after that loss in New York.India is sending a seven-member contingent to the Asian Games in Aichi-Neyong with Sumit Nagal leading the lone singles team. N Sriram Balaji-Anirudh Chandrasekar and DK Suresh-Yuki Bhambri are the two men’s doubles teams and Ankita Raina/Rutuja Bhosale the women’s team.

Sumit Nagal reacts after losing a point against South Korea’s Kwon Soonwoo during their Davis Cup second round qualifying match in Seoul. (AP)

In the Davis Cup tie, India lost 1-3 with N Sriram Balaji and DK Suresh picking up the solitary rubber. Nagal and DK Suresh lost both their singles matches on Friday despite it being a setup. On the second day, a win in the doubles gave India a slight glimmer of hope, but it was dashed after Soonwoo Kwon swept Nagal 6-1, 6-3.The men’s players will leave for the Asian Games directly from Seoul. The players, who trained in Pune ahead of the continental event, will leave on September 24.The tennis event is scheduled to begin on September 27 at the Higashiyama Park Tennis Center in Nagoya.